Recently-Opened Mokena Apothecary Offers Pharmacy Services

MOKENA, IL — Mokena residents have a new pharmacy option with the opening of the Mokena Apothecary, 10937 Front St. Owner and pharmacist Sunny Desai told Patch the Mokena Apothecary, which opened in July, is a sister company to the Tinley Park Apothecary.

The apothecary is considered an independent retail pharmacy, Desai said.

Desai started working for the Tinley Park Apothecary in 2017, and at the time, he was also working for Osco Drug. Osco Drug started shortening store hours, so Desai said he started working part-time wherever he could and eventually found the Tinley Park Apothecary.

"They needed help covering a maternity leave, but after a few months I couldn't imagine working anywhere else and fortunately they felt the same way," Desai said. "I found the niche in independent pharmacy that I previously had no idea existed. The difference between working here and a big box retail chain was like night and day."

Desai said he could practice pharmacy and use his expertise to really help people, which was why he chose to be a pharmacist in the first place.

A number of employees at Tinley Park also worked at Metro South Hospital, Desai said.

"It was upon their closing in the middle of 2019 that a group of us decided we wanted to take control of our own livelihood and future," he told Patch. "We decided we would take the plunge, branch off and open another independent pharmacy in Mokena instead of working for someone else."

Desai said the business is completely employee-owned and aims to better the community.

"We ultimately want to bring about a change in culture that will bring control back to the people in a community," he said. "We hope to be a staple in Mokena for years to come."

The Mokena Apothecary sells various over the counter medication, vitamins, and drug store items, and also offers prescription refills.

The business is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

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